UAAP: Sumang sinks dagger three as Warriors shock Bulldogs in nail-biter

 

In a rematch of the 2013 FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Finals, Roi Sumang nailed two clutch three-pointers to lead that preseason tourney's winners, the University of the East Red Warriors, over the National University Bulldogs, 71-67, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

[Review the full play-by-play here]

Both teams now form a four-team bubble at third place in the standings thanks to matching 1-1 records, joining the DLSU Archers and the Adamson Falcons.

The see-saw clash reached its apex when late in the fourth, with neither team having led by more than three points in the final frame, Roi Sumang rifled a deep three-pointer with around two and a half minutes to play, giving UE a 67-64 lead. However, the Warriors slipped, as Ray Ray Parks scored off a put-back, and freebies via loose ball fouls on Gelo Alolino and Emmanuel Mbe allowed the Bulldogs to tie the game with a minute and change remaining, 67-67.

National U forced Pedrito Galanza to miss a mid-range jumper, only to merit a shot clock violation on the other end despite multiple offensive rebounds. With 21.6 seconds to go, that gave the Warriors a chance to put this game away.

Sumang dribbled out the clock and measured Parks, before sending home a 30-footer through the hoop. Sumang drew contact as well and nailed the freebie with 3.7 seconds on the clock, leaving National U without enough time to make a comeback.

"Ang hirap kasi nung after our loss against FEU, we were humbled, we were devastated, we were humiliated because we brought excess baggage from the FilOil [tournament]," shared UE head coach Boysie Zamar. "Siyempre when you travel, you travel only light. And that baggage was a lesson for us. But Roi Sumang brought the biggest baggage today, which is his big heart."

"I think we're now on the road to redemption," finished Zamar.

"Basta hiningi ko kay coach sa last possession," said Sumang of his game-winner. "Basta nanggigigil na ako. Sinabi ko na sa inyo sawang-sawa na akong matalo."

Sumang tallied 19 points and six rebounds. Charles Mammie added 15 points and 20 rebounds, including 13 offensive. Gino Jumao-as notched 11 points and seven rebounds.

Mammie was the first player to reach double figures in offensive rebounding since UST's Jervy Cruz pulled down 12 in 2008.

Emmanuel Mbe carried his team to start the first quarter, moving well off the ball for their first seven points. Ray Ray Parks also added two charities against a disorganized Warriors five, for a 9-4 tally.

UE adjusted and found some success going to the basket, as moves by Chris Javier, JR Sumido and Charles Mammie knotted the game at 10-apiece with three and a half minutes remaining. But the Warriors would score only once more in the quarter, on a tip-in by Adi Santos. Meanwhile, Mbe struck twice more from midrange to help National U to an 18-12 lead after the first period.

Early in the second quarter, the Warriors gained some ground by adjusting to a zone defense, while a Gino Jumao-as and-one highlighted a 7-2 run, 20-19. JJ Alejandro bailed out his team with a trey, followed by a Jeoff Javillonar basket, but there was not much else going for the Bulldogs, 25-19, with under six minutes to play.

Ralf Olivarez nailed a triple with under five minutes remaining, and the Warriors began their comeback. It was an ugly run, prone to turnovers and mistakes, but UE managed to snag enough offensive boards to outlast National U until the halftime buzzer. Jumao-as and Charles Mammie tallied four points apiece in a closing 13-6 rally for UE to lead 32-31 at halftime.

Mbe compiled 13 points, five rebounds and two steals in the first half. National U shot 11-of-35 (31.4 percent) against the Warriors' 14-of-44 (31.8 percent) clip. UE led in rebounding, 31-23, including 17-9 offensive, but trailed 12-6 in second-chance points. The Warriors lead in turnover points, 14-6, off a 9-10 turnover spread.


Parks came out firing after the break, spearheading an 8-2 run that forced UE head coach Boysie Zamar to call a timeout barely two minutes into the quarter. The Warriors composed themselves, and Mammie's work beneath the basket offset makes by Parks from all over the floor, 48-45.

Smelling blood, the Warriors charged in the last four minutes. Offensive boards by Mammie and Adi Santos complemented tough jumpers by Olivarez to end the quarter on a 10-4 run, leading 55-52.

Dennice Villamor hit a triple in the fourth, his first field goal of the game, as National U traded blows with the Bulldogs in an up-tempo quarter. With under four minutes remaining, a drive by Sumang gave them a slim 64-63 lead, before Sumang decided to take over in the endgame.

The Warriors made 30-of-83 (36.1 percent) from the field. National U fared slightly better, making 25-of-64 (39.1 percent) to go with 14-of-22 (63.6) free throws. In contrast, UE made just half of the freebies, 8-of-16.

UE also bested the Bulldogs in rebounding (49-44, 27-15 offensive) and turnover points (25-15) while winning the turnover battle in the end, 15-18. The Bulldogs though registered 17 assists to UE's eight.

Emmanuel Mbe led his team with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Ray Ray Parks was limited to 11 points and seven rebounds on 3-of-16 shooting. Glenn Khobuntin, Jeoff Javillonar and JJ Alejandro notched eight points apiece.

Earlier in the day, the Bulldogs were forced to withdraw center Alfred Aroga, after UAAP eligibility committee ruled that the Cameroonian had not completed the required two-year residency period. - RAF, GMA News